The Kai Kings locked up second place on the South Otago club competition table and a home semifinal with a five-run win over the Waihola Swans at the Crab Grounds in Milton on Saturday.
The Kings batted first and scored 155 for seven off their alloted 40 overs.
William Casey again led the charge with the bat. Casey made 45 in a patient knock in which there were only three boundaries. Kings captain Mark Shepherd was next best with 26.
Peter Grant was the best of the Swans’ bowlers, taking three wickets for 29 runs off seven overs.
In reply the Swans took it right to the last over but were dismissed for 150.
Some top-order wobbles were stopped by captain Ashton Tourell who scored another 50 for his side. He featured in significant partnerships with middle-order batsmen Brad Williams (29) and Caleb Mitchell (25).
The Swans’ tail could not provide the finishing touch and the players will have to wait until next week to find out if they will feature in the semifinals.
Jason Young again led the charge with the ball, with three for 16 off eight overs.
The Lawrence Lions kept their semifinal chances alive with a six-run win over the Valley Stingers at the Cosmic Bullring in Balclutha.
Lawrence batted first and was bowled out in the 27th over for 128.
Will Young was the main contributor with 51. He had help from opening batsman Bryce Rishworth who scored 33 at the top of the order.
Key Stingers all-rounder Tony Omelvena bowled well and took four wickets for eight runs off six overs.
In reply, Valley batted the 40 overs but fell six runs short to finish on 122 for the loss of nine.
An injury to in-form opening batsman Morgan Culbertson brought about a change at the top of the order.
Michael Johnston (21) and the injured Culbertson (18) put together a meaningful partnership in the middle order but both fell in quick succession.
Omelvena (19) batted well but the tail did not wag and Lawrence took the win.
Lions skipper Sam Wyber took three for 16 off eight overs.
The Owaka Bandits have retained the Challenge Cup and locked away the Round Robin Shield after snatching a narrow victory over the Clutha Comets in Owaka.
Clutha won the toss and batted first, reaching 119 all out in the 39th over. Opening batsman Mike Edwards was the glue of the innings. He batted for 26 overs to make 19.
Extras were again a problem for the Owaka bowlers. The Bandits bowled well at times. Nathan and Daniel White were the main destroyers with the ball. Each took three wickets and were very economical.
In reply, the Bandits were in trouble early with both in-form openers out. Bandits captain Francis Parker came to the crease with the score at 10 for two and was determined to do a good job.
The Bandits regularly lost wickets through the middle of the innings and needed 10 runs to win when No 11 batsman Hayden Sheppard came to the crease and capably held up an end. That enabled Parker to hit the winning runs to give his side an unassailable lead at the top of the table with one round remaining.
Parker finished unbeaten on 68.
Kelan Smith was the best of the Clutha bowlers with three for 13 off eight overs.
